Flight Academies

[CapnVegetto]

CaptV,
I have to defend the FLightSafety direct track program as it shouldnt be generalized along with other programs such as GIA and MESA. As far as the guaranteed interview, there is such a thing. Our direct track students interview with the airline BEFORE starting the program, with no money out of pocket. Once they get hired they have a conditional offer of employment, which is the same letter that all new hires at ASA get. From there, all they have to do is complete the training at FlightSafety which has a near 100 % success rate, and then they get a class date. I got hired the old fashoned way by building my time in part 61 and 141 flight schools, but I think to each his own. If the program works, which it does, and you are financially able to commit, then why not. I have been involved with 10 or so direct track students as an instructor in the program and all of them completed the program, passed their checkrides in the ERJ and are all in class at ASA or already flying the line. I have spoken to line captains at ASA and asked about their experiences with them, and it was all positive.

Alright, I'm a little confused on this subject....

They interview with an airline BEFORE the program? Now are these just 250 hour Comm/ME guys? How do they get the interview? Does FS set it up? Do you just go to FS and say "OK, I want to interview with Eagle," they set it up, you interview, get hired, and hand over a bunch of $$$ to go through a program? Please explain it to me. I don't get it.

Thx

 

[indianboy7]

That's pretty much it.......the students have to go through FSI's commercial, instrument multi engine programs......then they give their resume to FlightSafety, who sends it to one of these airlines under the "direct track" header, and the airlines choose who they interview (watered down, but still an interview)...if they get "hired" by the airline, 25K in American funds gets transferred from their pocket to FSI's and their training begins.....they pass all the training and checkrides, they go fly a shiny jet....they screw up at any point...beginning, middle, or end.....and they go home.....without their 25 large....kinda shady imo, but it's business i guess....

Alright, I'm a little confused on this subject....

They interview with an airline BEFORE the program? Now are these just 250 hour Comm/ME guys? How do they get the interview? Does FS set it up? Do you just go to FS and say "OK, I want to interview with Eagle," they set it up, you interview, get hired, and hand over a bunch of $$$ to go through a program? Please explain it to me. I don't get it.

Thx

 

[CapnVegetto]

OK, so it's just your basic buy-a-job deal putting 250 hour commercial pilots in the right seat of RJ's? Don't EVEN get me started on that. Does sound kinda shady.....just another racket of making money.

 

[rausda27]

You apply for the program with FlightSafety. If you completed all your ratings there, then you then interview with ASA (or Eagle or ExpressJet). If you get a COE then you proceed with the next two phases of training. 25 hours crew IFR multi x-c, then into the ERJ level D. If you didnt complete your training at FS then you go through two phases prior to interviewing. These phases evaluate general piloting skill and instrument proficiency. If these phases are completed successfully, then you are able to interview with the airline and then start the actual direct track training. The requirements vary with each track. ASA requires commercial multi IFR with 100 hours in the past year, but express has a small hour requirement, I think around 400 hours. It isnt as simple as handing over the money. The training in the multi IFR phase is intensive and if you are not motivated, then you will wash out. Once this is complete the training moves into the ERJ level D, again, if you dont study and work hard, you wash out. Upon completion of the level D training you are adminstered a checkride by a company (ASA, Xjet, or AE) check captain. If you pass, you wait for a class date. I hope this answers your questions.

 

[Tater Salad]

Okay I'm gonna go ahead and throw my .02 cents in here.

I recently placed a posting on this board about these academies. I had SEVERAL career pilots tell me to stay away from them. These programs look really good on paper. But where is the true guarantee? The guys defending FlightSafety are saying "our direct track students," and "here at FSI." A bit of a biased opinion if you ask me since they might work there. If they are true to there word, then GREAT! I appologize for cutting on there program if that's the case. If they are a bunch of bull, then they ought to be run out of business. Nothing makes me more mad then hearing about somebody I know (and this has happened) going to an academy, dropping tens of thousands of dollars on training, and being screwed in the end. I sill get flamed up when I hear the same story from someone I don't know.

Another thing. I have been told by NUMEROUS people that it is better to be getting paid while earning all your hours rather then paying to earn them. I broke all the costs down for the FlightSafety program. If you start there to get your CIME, and then go into direct track, between the $45k tuition for CIME (for 200 hours or something like that is freaking ridiculous) and the $24k (or something in that neighborhood) for tuition, and living costs, you could be looking at an upwards of $70-$80k. Please explain to me how you live in that situation without sucking loans dry for high monthly payments for 10 years after you graduate?

Now take someone who is taking the local flight school route. They are probably living near or at home, they most likely have steady employment that generates an income, and once you get your CFI ratings, you can instruct, make some money (not a lot) and build your hours at the same time. What sounds better here? Not to mention you won't have to make $500 or $600 payments EVERY MONTH when your on your first year making around $21,000 annually. It's ahrd nough to live off of that without a massive loan payment every month.

I don't know and I don't care if there are people who don't agree with my views. I'm not trying to be arrogant either. I have done thorough research on several academies because I was thinking of going to one. Who knows. If one of these academies can step up and directly prove that there program works, then it just may be worth it (I might even look into it). But if it's just promises being thrown at you with no hard evidence, then stay away from it.

 

[SWA GUY]

Tater,

I'm a career pilot and I went to "one of those academies". I guess I did it wrong....

 

[Tater Salad]

I didn't say it was wrong to go. I was weighing it down mostly to cost.

If I offended you, then I appologize. Obviously the academy route worked for you.

Honestly, I hope that somebody can come out and directly prove that these academies have high job placement percentages. If that was the case, then I would consider an academy.

 

[SWA GUY]

Nah, you didn't offend me. No worries!